How to Choose the Best Domain Name: An Expert Webmaster‘s Guide

As an experienced webmaster who‘s registered over 1000 domain names during my 15 years in the industry, choosing the perfect domain is one of the most important decisions when starting a new website.

Your domain name is the identity of your online brand – it needs to be memorable, descriptive, and optimized for search engines in order to build a successful site.

But with over 300 million domains registered worldwide, finding the ideal available name can be tricky.

In this comprehensive 3000+ word guide, I‘ll provide insider tips to help you pick the perfect domain name for your website or blog. I‘ll share the strategies I‘ve learned from registering thousands of domains, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to turn your domain into the foundation of a thriving brand.

Why Your Domain Name Matters

As a webmaster who has witnessed the evolution of the internet, I‘ve seen how competitive the space has become. Your domain name is often the first touchpoint between you and potential new visitors.

It needs to create a good first impression and clearly communicate what your website is about.

Here are four key reasons why your domain name is so important:

1. Memorable and Brandable

An ideal domain name is catchy, unique, and memorable. Visitors should be able to recall it easily. This helps build brand recognition and loyalty over time.

For example, URLs like Google.com, Facebook.com, and Amazon.com are incredibly brandable.

2. Descriptive

Using relevant keywords in your domain tells search engines and visitors what your site is about right away.

Domains like DIYHomeTips.com or SanFranciscoHotels.org make it clear what the website will cover.

3. Professional

A domain like YourBusiness.com looks more credible than something overly clever, odd, or spammy.

Your domain represents your brand, so it pays to choose something trustworthy.

4. Flexible for Future Expansion

Don‘t limit yourself by choosing a too restrictive domain that can‘t evolve as your site grows.

For example, BestBostonHotels.com leaves no room if you expanded your site to cover all of New England later on.

How to Brainstorm Domain Name Ideas

Coming up with that perfect available domain can feel overwhelming at first. Here are eight tips to spark ideas as you‘re brainstorming domains:

1. Keyword Research

Identify 1-3 primary keywords or keyword phrases that relate to your niche, business type, and website focus.

Then try combining them into domains. For a website about cats, keywords could include "cat care," "feline care," or "cats".

2. Competitor Research

Study what domain names your competitors are using for inspiration. Look for any common words, patterns, or themes.

3. Business Name Generators

Tools like LeanDomainSearch, DomainWheel, and Nameboy auto-generate unique name ideas for you to consider.

4. Thesaurus

Find keyword variations by searching for synonyms of your main terms. Like "images" instead of "photos".

5. Mix and Match Words

Combine a descriptive word with a brandable word to make it catchier. Like FoodieJournal.com.

6. Add Location

Consider including your city, region, or country. Such as AustinBrunchSpots.com.

7. Make a List

Brainstorm as many ideas as possible, then narrow down your favorites.

8. Be Creative

Get creative with prefixes, suffixes, rhymes, alliterations, and more to find something memorable.

Taking the time to brainstorm extensively in the early stages of your project will make settling on the final domain much easier down the road.

How to Choose Domain Names that Rank Well in Search Engines

One of the top questions I‘m asked is how to pick a domain name optimized for SEO and search rankings.

While your content and overall website experience matter more, choosing the right domain can give you a boost.

Here are my tips for picking a search engine friendly domain name:

Research Relevant Keywords

Identify 1-3 primary keywords that accurately describe your website‘s focus and content. These will form the basis of your domain.

Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Moz, or Semrush can help uncover keyword ideas.

Include Your Focus Keyword

Try to work your primary keyword into the domain name so visitors instantly know what the site covers. Don‘t stuff it with multiple keywords.

Pick Easy to Remember Keywords

Opt for popular but relatively short keywords that are easy to recall. Avoid obscure long tail keyword phrases.

Make it Exact Match if Possible

Domains that match key search queries tend to get a relevancy boost. But it‘s not required.

Be Cautious of Trademarks

Research trademarks to ensure you can legally use a word or phrase in your domain.

Consider Future Expansion

Don‘t paint yourself into a corner with a restrictive domain that can‘t evolve over time.

Keep it Simple and Descriptive

Clearly convey what the website is about while keeping it short and memorable.

Remember that content, user experience, and links remain bigger ranking factors than the domain alone. But choosing a keyword-optimized name from the start gives you an SEO edge.

9 Pro Tips for Picking the Perfect Domain Name

After registering thousands of domain names over my career, I‘ve learned what makes an ideal choice versus mediocre domains that are easily forgotten.

Here are 9 essential criteria to keep in mind:

1. Short and Memorable

Humans are visual learners. We best remember things we see repeatedly.

Shorter domains (under 15 characters) display better in ads, email, and social media making them more memorable.

2. Uses Relevant Keywords

As discussed above, incorporate 1-2 primary keywords so visitors instantly understand the site‘s focus.

3. Easy to Spell and Pronounce

Avoid odd spellings or complex words that increase chances of typos. Use proper English spelling and language.

4. Unique and Brandable

Come up with something unique so you stand out from competitors. Brandable names become iconic.

5. Descriptive of Site Purpose

Clearly convey what the website is about while keeping it catchy.

6. Flexible for Future Expansion

Don‘t limit yourself with a domain that‘s too restrictive for pivots or site growth.

7. No Hyphens, Numbers, or Symbols

Domains with hyphens look less professional. Numbers and symbols get confusing. Keep it alpha-based.

8. Consistent Across Social Media

Verify username availability on major platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

9. Trustworthy Appearance

Avoid names that come across as too clever, odd, or spammy. Opt for a professional domain.

Taking the time to find a domain name that meets all of the above criteria will ensure your site starts off on the right foot as you build your brand.

Most Common Domain Name Mistakes to Avoid

Over the years, I‘ve seen lots of website owners succumb to common domain name mistakes that limit their growth or credibility. Here are some big ones to avoid:

Choosing a Restrictive Domain

Early on it‘s hard to predict if you‘ll expand your site‘s scope. Avoid limiting domains like BestChicagoPizza.com.

Not Checking Trademarks

Assuming a name is free to use can lead to legal and financial headaches down the road. Always verify trademarks first.

Using Odd Spellings

Clever spellings backfire by increasing typos and hurting branding. Stick to proper English.

Stuffing with Keywords

Don‘t cram multiple keywords into domains. Search engines will see it as spammy.

Using Restrictive New Domain Extensions

New extensions like .guru and .photography may not age well. Stick with .com for maximum flexibility.

Forgetting to Renew Domains

Missing your annual renewal can instantly lose your domain. Use renewal reminders and auto-renew if possible.

Not Owning Matching Social Media Usernames

Secure consistent brand names across social networks so competitors can‘t take them.

Choosing Hyphenated or Double Word Domains

Domains with hyphens or double-words like my-business.com look less professional.

Using Numbers, Symbols, or Weird Spellings

Domains full of numbers, symbols @, #, -, $ etc. are harder to remember and share. Avoid them.

Taking the time to avoid these common domain name mistakes from the start prevents many headaches later on.

How to Evaluate Domain Names

As you narrow down your shortlist of potential names, here is a five-step process I use to evaluate and compare top domain name candidates:

1. Say it Out Loud

Read the domain out loud. Is it smooth, memorable, and easy to say? Difficult names get misspelled.

2. Check Translation Potential

Will your domain name work internationally across languages? Or sound odd when translated?

3. Search for Trademarks

Use the USPTO‘s free TESS search tool to catch trademarks before investing in a name.

4. Analyze for SEO Potential

Does it use your primary keyword(s) in a natural way? Shorter and descriptive is better.

5. Verify Availability

Double check availability across registrars and social media sites. Act fast before someone else takes your name.

Repeating this five-step evaluation process with your top 3-5 contenders makes selecting the winner much easier.

Expert Tips for Turning Your Domain into a Trusted Brand

Beyond just registering your domain name, you‘ll want to maximize its branding potential. Here are my top tips for transforming your domain into a trusted brand:

Prominently Display Your Domain on All Materials

Feature your domain name prominently in your logo, business cards, presentations, ads, email signatures, and any other collateral.

Be Consistent Across Social Media

Register matching usernames on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and anywhere your audience is present.

Publish High Quality Content

Regularly publishing useful, engaging content helps build domain authority and recognition.

Monitor Web Mentions

Set up alerts for your domain name via Google Alerts to monitor feedback and discussions.

Renew On Time

Set calendar reminders so you never accidentally lose your domain name if unpaid.

Use in Email Addresses

Set up professional email addresses using your domain name.

Promote in Your Marketing

Encourage followers to visit, share, and engage with content on your domain.

Acquire Similar Domain Extensions

Own yourname.com along with .net, .org, and other common extensions to prevent impersonation.

Taking advantage of these brand-building tips will strengthen your domain authority in the eyes of search engines and users.

How to Find Available Domain Names

Finding an available domain name that matches all your criteria can be challenging with over 300 million registered globally.

Here are effective strategies I recommend based on my experience:

Use Domain Name Generators

Tools like LeanDomainSearch and Nameboy generate hundreds of creative options using keywords.

Try Alternative Extensions

When .com isn‘t available, consider alternatives like .net, .co, .biz, or new domain extensions.

Add Location, Numbers, Prefixes

Location and numbers like YourBusinessLondon123.com can turn an unavailable domain into an available one.

Misspellings and Typos

Typos of popular domains are sometimes available for brandable words.

Remove Vowels

Turning a word like SocialMedia into SclMd.com opens more possibilities.

Replace Letters with Numbers

Domains like SocialM3dia.com swap letters and numbers.

Use Synonyms and Related Words

Trying alternatives to your original keywords yields more domain ideas.

Shorten Words

Trim words down like using Photo instead of Photography.

Getting creative with these strategies typically reveals new available options you can consider.

Guide to Checking Domain Name Availability

Before getting too attached to a domain name idea, it‘s important to verify that it‘s truly available for registration.

Here are the steps I take to check if a domain is available:

• Registrar Searches – Use the search bar at GoDaddy, Namecheap, Bluehost, etc.

• WHOIS Lookup – A WHOIS search reveals if a domain was registered along with expiry dates.

• Visit the Website – Input the domain into your browser and see if it resolves to an active site.

• Reverse IP Lookup – This shows you all domains hosted on the same server.

• Domain Name Generator Tools – Name generators like LeanDomainSearch show availability.

• Social Media Sites – Check for matching usernames on popular social networks.

• Trademark Searches – Use a trademark database like USPTO TESS to catch trademarks.

It‘s smart to use 2-3 different methods to verify if your desired domain name is truly available for registration. If not, apply some creativity until you find one that checks out across all searches.

How Much Does a Domain Name Cost?

The cost to register a domain name through most registrars averages between $10-$15 per year. However, pricing can vary higher or lower depending on:

• Domain extension (.com is most expensive, new domains cheaper)
• Registration period (1 year vs multiple years)
• Add-on features like privacy protection

You‘ll also discover different registrars run promotions or coupon codes from time to time which can help lower your domain costs.

In addition, some web hosting companies offer free domain registration when you purchase hosting. HostGator, Bluehost, Dreamhost, and SiteGround are popular hosts with this added benefit.

The downside is your domain gets tied to that specific hosting provider, making it harder to switch hosts later without paying additional fees.

My recommended budget is $10-$20 per year for a domain name including any privacy registration add-ons. Anything higher than that generally isn‘t cost effective for most websites.

Should You Buy Multiple Domain Names?

A question that comes up often is whether businesses should register multiple domain names beyond their primary one.

There are a few scenarios where securing additional domains makes sense:

• Buy your .com + matching .net and .org to prevent impersonation sites.

• Acquire common typos of your domain to avoid lost traffic from typing mistakes.

• Purchase domains with other extensions like .biz or .co as alternatives.

However, I don‘t recommend new websites buy up dozens of different domains before they have an established brand. It ends up being a waste of money in most cases.

Focus your time and budget on building out your primary domain first. You can always expand into new domains down the road if needed.

Don‘t Forget to Renew Your Domain Name

Once you register your chosen domain name, the last thing you want is to accidentally lose it by forgetting to renew your registration annually.

Here are some tips to avoid an expiration disaster:

• Use automatic renewals or multi-year registrations to lock in lowest pricing.

• Set calendar reminders each year to manually renew your domain.

• Know your exact expiration date and add a 6 month advance reminder.

• Keep payment info on your registrar account current. Out of date cards lead to missed renewals.

• Transfer expired domains immediately to preserve ownership rights.

Following these best practices will ensure your domain registration remains protected year after year.

Final Thoughts on Picking the Best Domain Name

Choosing your domain name is an exciting first step when building your online presence.

Your domain represents your brand identity, so take the time to find one that is short, memorable, descriptive, professional, and aligns with your niche.

Use this guide‘s tips and strategies for researching, evaluating, and selecting the ideal domain name that leaves room to grow over the long run.

With over 300 million registered domains globally, finding your perfect match may feel daunting. But staying persistent and getting creative with these suggestions will help uncover the ideal domain to represent your brand.

Owning the right domain provides a solid foundation on which you can build a thriving website, brand, and audience for many years to come.